Digital information is the lifeblood of any modern organization. However, that digital information is just like any other utility or service — it is only as good as the infrastructure supporting it. For example, if a road is not planned or maintained with consideration for the level of traffic using it, then bottlenecks and congestion will occur, impeding the speed and flow of traffic along that road. The same is true for information traveling through network cables. To make these cables secure for information, structured cabling is available for companies.
What Is Structured Cabling?
Cabling is a vital part of any enterprise because it provides the physical pathways for information to travel to various devices. However, cabling is just one part within the larger network, and so it must be compatible with all the other components in the environment. This means organizations need to give consideration into how to structure their cabling when planning a new system. Doing this correctly will ensure compatibility with all network components and devices, while also making the system scalable should the need arise for future upgrades or changes.
What Goes Into The Precise Design
Structured cabling is the standardization of the many components that make up the larger cabling infrastructure. These standards are vital to keeping operations running and to avoid unnecessary complications. In order to function, all the different components must be able to work with the other components in set and predictable ways, even if they were made by different manufacturers or made at different points in time.
Structured cabling standards govern how cabling is designed and installed. The United States follows standards developed and published by organizations like the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), and the Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI) among others. The goal of these standards is to ensure that cabling is designed and installed in a way that will satisfy current requirements while leaving room for future developments and growth.
Types Of Structured Cabling Standards
Not all cables are created equal. Different types of cables have different bandwidth capabilities, and some cables are effective over greater distances than others. There are several factors that influence this, including the number of wires used in a cable, how the wires are twisted together, and how they are shielded. These standards also evolve over time, having matured from the early Category 3 (CAT3) standards to Category 5 (CAT5) or CAT5E, both of which are now largely outdated by present-day Category 6 (CAT6) and CAT6A standards. Today, most cases will rely upon either CAT6, CAT6A, or fiber optic cabling.
CAT6 And CAT6A Cables
Compared to CAT5 and earlier cabling, CAT6 and CAT6A cables are designed to provide greater speed better suited to modern organization’s needs. CAT6 also does this without sacrificing usability and maintains backward compatibility with CAT5 standards. CAT6 is also more durable, and the commonsense protocols for installing it guarantees high utility, while also ensuring future scalability so that organizations can easily grow as new technology emerges. Additionally, some newer devices are simply not compatible with older cable systems and therefore require an upgrade to achieve peak performance and speeds.
Fiber Optic Cable
Fiber optic is slowly becoming the new face of modern telecommunication, boasting a variety of features that set it apart from more traditional transmission media like coaxial cables. Most notably, fiber optic offers amazing speeds which can peak up to 1.05 Mbps. However, fiber optic installation also tends to be very complex, having to take into consideration factors like the type of cable used, the environment in which the cables are installed, and the cable’s ratings.
Services SeaGlass Provides
Here at SeaGlass, we understand just how important structured cabling is for your business. We offer services that enhance your cabling and improve your business processes. Here are some of our services:
Structured Cable Installation & Replacement
SeaGlass Technology will install the latest LAN cable technology (usually CAT6 or CAT6A depending on your needs and requirements) that can support any server or endpoint equipment, such as switches, wireless access points, routers, workstations, smart TVs, and printers, just to name a few. Installing CAT6 or newer cabling for your network will guarantee improved performance as it serves as an immediate upgrade from CAT5 cables, providing increased speed and reliability. SeaGlass Technology can also assist with office relocations or renovations, testing existing cabling and new construction.
Cable Testing Services
Once installation or replacement is complete, SeaGlass Technology will run a sequence of tests to ensure the new cables are error-free. We will perform a connectivity test that will check the connection’s strength and speed. If we determine during the test that one of the cables is not performing at an optimal standard, we will simply swap it out with a new one and rerun the tests for that cable.
Work With Experienced Structured Cabling Technicians
If you are interested in learning more about SeaGlass Technology’s Structured Cabling Services, please view our service page or reach out to schedule a consultation today. We look forward to hearing from you, and starting a structured cabling journey today!